Reporting and Data Systems (RADS) in Radiology: The Chinese Experience

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Medical Imaging
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The Reporting and Data Systems (RADS) framework is crucial for structured reporting and standardization in radiology.
• China has been actively developing and adapting major RADS systems for clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development and local adaptation of major RADS systems in China.
• To identify challenges and opportunities in implementing RADS in Chinese radiology.

Main Methods:

• Review of established, recently introduced, and emerging RADS frameworks in China.
• Analysis of implementation status, challenges, and future prospects.

Main Results:

• Established RADS frameworks (breast, liver, lung) are widely used.
• Newer frameworks (thyroid, prostate, coronary artery disease) are gaining adoption.
• Emerging frameworks (ovarian-adnexal, bone, colon, neck, lymph node) are in early stages.
• Challenges include local adaptation, data sharing, and quality control.

Conclusions:

• China's radiology sector faces challenges but has unique opportunities due to large imaging volume and AI integration.
• Continued local adaptation, multicenter validation, and intelligent automation are key.
• Chinese radiology is poised to contribute significantly to global standardization efforts.